If you are a blogger, Google Analytics is a must-have! You’ve signed up for Google Analytics for your website, but what do all the numbers mean? Google Analytics offers several reports and numbers for you to use to best understand your site users and their patterns. Now that your website is created, you’ll want to track statistics, gauging your readership, which of your stories are most popular, as well as when people visit. This will let you know that the efforts that you are putting into your website is getting noticed, and where to move forward. This is why it’s a must that you will want to make sure that you have Google Analytics connected to your website.

What does Google Analytics tell me about my website?

First off, Google Analytics is the go-to tool to give you the data you need to understand what is happening on your site. It will tell you from where your traffic is coming, whether it is from organic search or social media, as well as referrals from other websites. Not only does it tell you from where your traffic is coming, it also provides you information about who is visiting your website. Are they male or female? From which state or country are they coming? What browser are they using? What device are they using to view your site - mobile device or computer? The more you know, the more you can update, improve and add more content to your site that is going to increase valuable traffic for your visitors. Once you know your audience, you’ll know what kind of products and services to market and build for them!

What does it cost?

Nothing. Google Analytics is absolutely free.

How Do I Install Google Analytics?

Before installing Google Analytics you will need to have a Google account. If you have a gmail account, then you already have a Google account. You can connect it a couple of different ways, either by installing a plug-in, or by entering the tracking code that you receive when installing the plug-in yourself into the header of each web page you want to review. You can create your Google Analytics account here. Simply press the Download button and follow the instructions.

How Much Data Will I have?

You’ll want to spend time reviewing your website dashboard in order to best understand all the data that is now at your fingertips. While you’ll find that there are specific points of information you’ll use more than others, Google Analytics offers a ton of information. As you familiarize yourself with the analytics, you’ll become more comfortable with the data. The most popular uses are tracking readership and page views. However, you can use Google Analytics to track any advertising you may use, as well as campaigns you may use on your site, such as social and public relations campaigns. Google Analytics measures your Dimensions and Metrics. Dimensions include data such as the city or state your reader is from, and which page they’re reading. Metrics include the number of page views for a particular story.

Data Overview

Data can be divided into three sections – Acquisition, Behavior, and Conversions. You’ll want to thoroughly review this section, as there is a plethora of helpful information. But, here is an overview:

Acquisition

First, Acquisition involves how people reach your website. As you look at the report, the overview tab provides a look at all three pieces. It gives you the information you’ll want to see first, including sessions (page visits), bounce rate (percentage of people visiting your page and immediately leaving), and conversion rate, which shows your top channels and their performance, such as organic reach (specifically seeking your site).

Behavior

Next, Behavior shows your traffic, or what people actually do when they visit your page. It includes overall pageviews, unique pageviews, and average time spent on your page. The site count drilldown goes in-depth into your most folders and the top stories within each folder.

Conversion

Finally, Conversion helps you understand how visitors meet your goals, or convert on your page. Conversion consists of four sections: goals, e-commerce, multi-channel funnel, and attribution. You’ll want to set realistic goals. As you move forward with Google Analytics plug-in, you’ll be impressed with the data it will provide your blog. Adding Google Analytics is easy, just follow the steps. You’ll want to review the benefits it provides and the features to help create reports for you. From writing posts to tracking data, running a successful blog requires commitment and dedication. So, you want to have the best data at your fingertips, Google Analytics is a great start.